The damage found over the weekend is the second time in two weeks that the downtown bridge has been vandalized.

The new damage involved someone using a black marker to put racist writings on the slates of two benches at the bridge.

City spokesman Frank Suarez tells The Journal Gazette it is upsetting to see someone deface a landmark such as the bridge. The span that opened two years ago features a 50-foot arch and dozens of plaques with quotes from King.

The previous vandalism involved some painting a smiley face over one of the plaques with King's image on it.